Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-04-22
Inever loved Harry moro tcnderly


which l had been invited to attend.
and TO ask his escort. | never shall
forget that day. After | had posted
the letter | sat in my room and sewed
upon the pretty dress ! intended to
wear. thinking all the while that it was
Harry's favorite color and that he
would be sure to like it.
Ellie, happy in her recovered lover,
sat with me and read aloud from lit
tie book of verses Charlie had given
her. They were not fine verses, nor
was she an elegant reader, but there
was love in them and in her heart, and
that sufliced.
had finished the dress, and sat look
ing down into the street, when saw
boy hurrying along. 1t was the errand
boy at Harry's place. and Ellie who had
seen him also. ran downstairs to bring
my note to me, for we both knew that
it was my answer that shimmered in
the little white envelope in my hand.
She ran down gayly, hummins tune.
She returned with a very serious face.
A note was in her hand, with my name
upon it in Harry's writing, but her ex-
preston frightened me SO that caught
my breath.
"Wha is it, Eilie." | asked.
Ethel" she sad, very sadly, Il
must tell you. though you'll hate me.
The boy who brought that note brought
one for Mrs. Bray
was so relieved that | burst into a
fit of laughter.
"Why should that trouble me?' !
inquired.
Don't you see your Harry must have
written both?' she asked.
NO" sa d !, IL do not. am not
jealous of Harry"
Then broke the seal, and these were
the words / read:
Nddam>: have another engagement, and
am obliged TO decline yours.
II. HEATHCoTE.
put the old billet down with a
strange chill at my heart. What had
done to deserve this? What did it
mean? What should | do? A note
Ike this from betrothed lover from
whom | had parted with the tenderest
caresses? Ellie saw that / was in
trouble and forebore to question me.
but she glided out of the room and did
not return for An hour. When she
came back her face was wet with tears.
you cannot tell me what it is?'
she asked.
answered:
II must have offended him uncon-
scously. | cant say anything more. v
When the dinner bell rang | went
down stairs as usual. Passing the
parlor door saw Mrs. Bray. She was
reading note aloud.
Il declare, | never was so sur
prsed." she said Il thought he was
in love with that little girl All! there
she comes
She hurried away rs she spoke, in as
sumed terror The next moment
saw Ellie speak to her and VIII te
paper pass INTO her hand. Whatever
! it was she knew and she would tell me.
She did. That evening she brought =
letter into my room-a letter that Mrs.
Bray had exhibited 10 all the house-a
| love-letter from Harry Hcathcote, ten
derer and more passionate than any
/ he had ever written to me, and with
! his undoubted signature at its foot. 1t
was no forgery | even knew the
paper. a rare and costly kind, with his
own monogram upon it. 1t began
Darling and ended Your own
/ Harry" DID not scream. | did not
swoon: | faced the terrible truth as
best might. She had won him from
me, but | was nowise TO blame. / was
true. | was sinned against, not sin
ming, and the blow should not crush
me.
/ did not allow myself to play the
mourner Contempt Of my lover had
taken the place of love.
He should know that did not greve
for him; and | asked good old Mr.. Hal
loran to be my escort, and went to the
party next evening with smile on my
face, though my heart ached sorely,
and life seemed cold and cruel thin
to me.
They told me / was gay that night.
l chatted, / ate and drank, l danced
whenever l was asked to- All the
while the words of that letter Harry
had written to Mrs. Bray were in my
heart.
When old Mr.. Halloran took me
home he told me 1 had "wearied my
self out, and was beginning to feel it. Z"
But was strong yet.
| Tomorrow I had work to do that
would demand all my strength-to take
the matter into my own hand, TO write
an adieu 10 Charlie, send him back the
gifts and letters in my possession and
ask mine of him. AS l went up stairs
| old Mrs Morton looked out of her